Ricky James Featured on NBC Sports this Saturday, December 13th!

December 10, 2008

Ricky James, the 20 year-old paraplegic from Murrieta, CA will be featured on NBC Sports this Saturday, December 13th from 2:30-4:00 PM Eastern Time.

Ricky was documented by film crews while competing this past October in the Ford Ironman World Championships in Kona, HI. The event celebrated its 30th anniversary on Oct. 11 when more than 1,700 of the world’s fittest athletes from all walks of life braved the harsh elements of Hawaii including one of the highest record temperatures to date, while attempting to earn the title of “Ironman” in Kailua-Kona. Athletes ranging from 18 to 79 years of age competed in the world-famous 140.6-mile odyssey: a 2.4-mile Pacific Ocean swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon in a classic battle against the sweltering heat – and themselves.

For more information, please visit: http://ironman.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/30th-anniversary-ford-ironman-world-championship-airs-on-nbc

Ricky was well on his way to fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming a Supercross champion, when life took a drastic turn. 4 years ago, at just 16 years old, he was injured in a Motocross accident on the track at one of the largest Amateur National Motocross races in the country. The blow to his T7 vertebrae left him paralyzed from his sternum down. Today at 20, he’s deftly navigating the new terrain of his life.

Since the accident, James has not slowed down. Besides riding Motocross again, Ricky has competed in the Baja 500, was recently awarded a Silver Medal in the Summer X Games and has his sites focused on a 4-wheel racing career. In his first year of racing, Ricky has taken 9 out of 10 pole positions, won the Irwindale Speedway Championship and Rookie of the Year Award.